The University of Arkansas students continued to study abroad at a near-record pace last school year.

A total of 1,455 U of A students participated in global learning experiences in '24-'25, highlighted by a 6% growth in credit-bearing study abroad programs and 40 faculty-led programs. Students studied abroad in 51 unique countries, with Italy, Spain, Australia, Ireland and Denmark serving as the top destinations.

"These numbers reflect the passion of our students and the commitment of the faculty and staff who support them," said Aley Bedair, director of study abroad and international exchange. "Study abroad truly takes a village, and we're grateful to see that effort translating into life-changing experiences."

Student access to study abroad opportunities also continued to improve, with more than 15% of undergraduate students studying abroad - a return to pre-COVID participation levels. The proportion of students who self-reported receiving a Pell Grant rose by 7% from the previous year, with nearly 20% of participants identifying as Pell Grant recipients.

Additionally, 50 students received the Gilman International Scholarship, which supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, with award rates exceeding the national average for both the fall and spring cycles. The university also awarded $63,500 in scholarships to 61 students through multiple institutional sources, including the newly-established Kristen Collier Wright Study Abroad Scholarship.

"These numbers tell a powerful story," said Lindsey Aloia, associate dean for international education, during the Study Abroad Champions Breakfast Sept. 10. "Study abroad is not for the few; it's for the campus."  

Additionally, the U of A Rome Center welcomed 453 students last school year, more than a 6% increase year-over-year. Enrollment growth was driven by robust summer participation and new semester-length offerings, combined with a comprehensive slate of co-curricular programs that connected coursework to Rome's cultural and professional ecosystems.

"Beyond the steady growth in student participation, what struck me most during the recent Study Abroad Fair was the increased awareness about the Rome Center and its academic offerings — even among freshmen," said Francesco Bedeschi, director of the Rome Center. "This growing recognition is an encouraging sign for the future."

U of A student Caroline Cheek has studied abroad three times in her college career, including trips to Scotland, Australia and England, with her most recent expedition in fall 2024 as an exchange student at the University of Essex. She said studying abroad "is an eternal lesson in everything life has to offer."

"Even after just being abroad for those two weeks in my initial study abroad program, I craved more and was determined to go abroad as much as I could. Each trip I've been on has only deepened my curiosity for travel and love for exploring the world," she said.

Her experiences abroad also introduced her to new perspectives and ways of thinking.

"Though we might all look at and examine similar data or stories, my professors at Essex came at literature and science from new angles," she said. "From this, I internalized how necessary it is to be open to hearing from all kinds of thought patterns - this is something I believe to be vital in academia and learning. Not only did studying abroad give me memorable personal experiences, it also opened my academic and professional horizons and gave me an opportunity to think more critically from more perspectives than just my own."

For more information on studying abroad at the U of A, visit the Kristen Collier Wright Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange website. For more information on the Rome Center, visit their website.